Ribbon-blade razor having adjustment means for the blade



@cfi. 24, 1967 B HAMMONS v 3 348,3@6

RIBBON-BLADE RAZOR HAVING ADJUSTMENT MEANS FOR THE BLADE Filed March 30, 1966 iNVE/VTOR.

- RGEERT B. HAM/MOMS United States Patent 3,348,306 RIBBON-BLADE RAZQR HAVING ADJUSTMENT MEANS FOR THE BLADE Robert B. Hammons, Clearwater, Fla, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Minnesota-0M0 Oil Corp., a corporation of Minnesota Fiied Mar. 30, 1966, Ser. No. 538,646 4 Claims. (Cl. 30-401) ABSTRACT OF THE DESCLGSURE A ribbon blade razor in the form of a flat generally rectangular hollow housing peripherally encompassed by a frame slidable lengthwise of the housing and comprising a pressure bar adapted to bear against a blade extending over the outer surface of a slotted comb element at the adjacent end of the housing, the housing having an uninterrupted opening therethrough immediately below and extending the length of the comb element and including means for holding the pressure bar portion of the frame firmly against the blade.

Ribbon-blade cutting devices and razors are well known in the art. These devices have the advantage of providing a continuous long lasting supply of blade which is easily moved, portion by portion, to expose a new cutting edge as needed. Some of these devices have a capacity for only a short length of blade, others have a long blade but have complicated mechanisms for winding same. Another disadvantage is that the blade-holding portion is not adjustable for cleaning, cutting or shaving purposes. This is particularlyobjectionable in razors where it is a necessity that the blade be freed from time to time of shaving cream and beard cuttings. Not only does an accumulation of beard cuttings between the cutting edge and the comb interfere with the cutting efiiciency, it is unsightly and unsanitary if not removed between shaves. Cartridge-type razors wherein the cartridge of cutting blade is in the head are particularly susceptible to dog ging in addition to being cumbersome. It is also advantageous to construct the bodies of cutting devices of this type of plastic with a large blade capacity so that when the blade is used the entire device is economically disposable.

It is an object of this invention to provide a ribbonblade cutting device having a blade-holding and bridge construction which overcomes these difliculties.

Another object is to provide a ribbon-blade cutting device in which the bridge is movable so that it can hold the cutting edge in a position near the comb for normal use and the bridge can be moved gradually away from the comb but at the same angle thereto, to accommodate a heavier cut and can be moved still further away from the comb to open a passage or passages through which the blade, comb and bridge can be easily cleaned.

Another object of this invention is to provide a ribbonblade razor having a movable bridge with the dual function of holding the blade in adjustment and allowing the blade to move away from the comb, for cleaning purposes.

Another object of this invention is to provide a ribbonblade cutting device which accommodates blades of different thickness whereby the same housing can be used to form a wood-worldng tool or a razor.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a razor structure wherein the body of the razor is the housing or cartridge for the razor band and is adapted to accommodate ten feet or more of razor band.

A feature of this invention is that the entire razor is made in a form which is completely sealed and can be disposed of when the blade has been used completely. This eliminates the need for a replaceable cartridge and also allows for the increased capacity for blade storage in either used or unused condition. 1

These and other objects and features of this invention will become apparent or be described as the specification proceeds.

This invention will be described in relation to certain illustrative but non-limiting embodiments set forth in the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the device of this invention with its parts in operative position;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the device of this invention with the back cover removed;

FIG. 2-A is a partial plan view of a modification of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a bottom end view of the device of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 55 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the device from the front side showing the bridge in open position; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional View taken along lines 88 of FIG. 7.

Referring to FIG. 1, the device is shown in the form of a generally rectangular case 10 with a front or face cover 12, a back plate 14, a slidable yoke 16, and knurled knob 18, for winding up blade 20 (only partially exposed in cutting position in FIG. 1). FIG. 1 also shows a second knurled knob 22 extending through aperture 24 in face cover 12, and a small window aperture 26 in one side of yoke 16 which opens to blade 20 which has indicia (not shown) on the outer surface thereof for adjusting the length of each increment of unused blade pulled into cutting position. Opening28, shown to be rectangular, although same may be any desired configuration, is formed by walls 30 and 32, jointed to face 12 and walls 34 and 36 (see FIG. 2) the functions of which will be described.

Top wall 34 of opening 28 has a series of spaced, longitudinally aligned slots 40 (see FIGS. 4, .5, 6 and 8) extending therethrough and communicating with opening 28 which form a comb 42 of the front edge of top wall 34. The top and bottom edges 44 and 46 of comb 42 (see FIG. 6) are rounded, particularly when the device is fabricated for use as a razor since the comb guides the cutting edge 48 of blade 20 over the skin.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, it is seen that yoke 16 is formed of side members 49 and 50, bridge 52 and transverse base 54 with reinforcing corners 56. Sides 49 and 50 with bridge 52 and base 54 are thus an integral unit. Bridge 52 (see FIG. 6) has a smoothly rounded surface 58 and is longitudinally off-set at 60 to expose the cutting edge 48 of blade 20. The top rounded edge 44 of comb 42 is also longitudinally off-set downwardly from the top surface 62 of wall 34 for proper exposure of edge 48 between same and rounded surface 58.

The cover 14 is fiat, rectangular with rounded corners and conforms at its outer edges to the outer configuration of sides 4% and 50 and base 54 of yoke 16, but the top 64 of cover 14 ends coincident with top surface 62 of wall 34. An opposing edge 68 of cover 14 conforms with the edge of wall 34 of opening 28, and similarly contiguous bottom edge 70 and side edges 72 and 74 are provided. Cover 14 is fastened to face 12, holding therebetween yoke 16 in sliding relationship, in a manner to be described.

In FIG. 4, the wall members 32 and 36 have respectively longitudinal guide channels or recesses 80, 82 and 84 and 86. Sides 49 and d of yoke 16 are slidably mounted in recesses 80 and 84-, while blade 20 is guided therethrough by channels 82 and 86 and held in sliding relationship between the inner surfaces of yoke sides 49 and 50 and the outer surfaces of walls 32 and 36. Suflicient clearance is allowed so the blade 20 can move freely thereon While at the same time dirt and water are excluded. Seal means of foamed polyurethane, polyethylene, or polyvinyl chloride can also be provided to offer further protection against entry of moisture to the interior of the case 10.

Referring now to FIG. 2, which is a back view of the device of this invention with cover 14 removed, it is seen that wall 32 extends along, adjacent and spaced from, side 50 of the yoke 16 as a reinforcement and guide member 88 terminating in rounded shoulder, shown as a post 90 which, in conjunction with a post 92, serves as a means for guiding blade 20 onto a reel or spool 94 having a slot 96 into which backward bent end 98 of the blade 20 is engaged. Similarly, wall 30 has arcuate wall 100 with substantially parallel guide walls 102 and 104 between which blade 20 passes from supply coil 106 into channel 82 between yoke side 49 and case wall 36. Additional reinforcing walls 108 and 110, which also act as guide means for the yoke sides 49 and S0, connect to bottom transverse wall 112 to form a ridged box construction providing an open area to allow space for blade 20, in used condition, to be wound upon spool 94. Shaft 114 is splined to or made integral with spool 94 and attaches through face 12 to knurled knob 18 (FIG. 1). Rotating knob 18 in a clockwise direction, as shown in FIG. 1, winds blade 20 onto spool 94, and at the same time unused blade is fed from coil 106 between guide walls 102 and 104 into channel 82 across blade-supporting walls 34 on surface 62 thereof and into cutting relationship with comb 42; and then into channel 86.

Yoke 16, as before stated, is slidably mounted between back cover 14 and face 12 of case 10, leaving only sufficient clearance (channels 82 and 86) for blade 20. Walls 108 and 110 are in direct sliding contact with sides 49 and 50 respectively of the yoke 16. In one embodiment base 54 has a threaded aperture 116 receiving threaded shaft 118 to which is attached knurled knob 22, which is carried by and extends through aperture 24 (FIG. 1) and corresponding aperture 120 in back cover 14.

By turning knurled knob 22, shaft 118 is made to rotate and travel within the threaded aperture 116. Since knob 22 is attached to shaft 118 and cannot move laterally within opening 120, base 54 is drawn inwardly between back cover 14 and face 12 toward wall 112. Sides 49 and 50 of the yoke are thus moved upwardly and bridge 52 is raised from blade 20. Reversing the direction of rotation of knob 22 brings bridge 52 back into position.

In FIG. 2A an alternate construction in shown wherein spring 122 replaces knob 22 and shaft 118 as the means for allowing movement of yoke 16. In this embodiment it is only necessary to press on base 54 and thus raise bridge 52. Release of the pressure allows the spring 122 to expand and return bridge 52 to the position shown in FIG. 8.

It is to be observed in FIG. 7 that when bridge 52 is in raised position blade 20 pulls away from the corners 124 of the bridge 52. When the bridge 52 is returned to press on blade 20 it flexes and flattens into corners 124 without any lateral movement. Thus, the blade and bridge cooperate to open a passageway between the blade and the comb 42 for cleaning. Spring 122 when used will necessarily be strong enough to overcome any tendency of the spring action of blade 20 to move bridge 52 away from the top surface 62 of the wall 34.

FIG. 6 shows the relation of bridge 52, recess 60, blade 20 and comb 42 when the blade is in cutting position. FIGS. 7 and 8 show the relationship of these parts when the yoke 49-50-54 is moved upwardly thereby raising bridge 52 away from the wall 34, thereby allowing the blade to spring upwardly against the underside of the bridge and allowing space therebetween for cleaning and flushing these parts. By raising bridge 52 in slight increments and allowing blade 20 to raise slightly thereagainst an adjustment of the cutting edge and comb relation is made for a coarser cut in shaving or in other cutting operations such as wood working. With the embodiment shown in FIG. Z-A such intermediate positions of the blade are not contemplated and this arrangement is used primarily to facilitate fast macro-movement of the bridge to free the blade of cuttings as might be encountered in wood carving.

The device of this invention is readily fabricated of molded plastic parts with the exception of blade 20 which is preferably of coated stainless steel or the like. Face 1 with opening 28 defined by walls 30, 32, 34 and 36 and containing slots 40 with circular wall 100, sidewalls 88, 108 and 112 are formed in one piece, provision being made for apertures 24 and for shaft 114. Likewise back cover 14 with matching opening 70 and 120 is formed in a single piece as is the yoke comprising base 54, bridge 52 and sides 49 and 50. The knurled knobs, shafts and springs are separate parts, spool 94 and knob 18 are first installed.

In assembly, the blade coil 106 is inserted within wall 100, and the lead portion thereof is threaded between walls 104 and 106 around walls 36, 34 and 32, over posts 90 and 92 and into engagement with slot 96 in spool 94, which is then wound sufficiently to lock the blade therein, prior to attachment of the back coevr 14. This assembly is facilitated by the fact that blade coil 106 is inserted with the cutting edge down. Then the yoke assembly is applied with shaft 118 and knob 22 attached. If desired the device can be operated with the back plate or cover member off, to see that the blade moves freely when the yoke is released. The back cover 14 is then applied, the same being bonded permanently to the planar edges of walls 30, 32, 34, 36, 88, 108 and 112 as desired. A lubricant such as a suitable silicone material can be applied to the blade coil 106 if desired.

Although but one specific embodiment of this invention has been herein shown and described, it will be understood that numerous details of the construction shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A cutting device comprising a combination blade holder and handle in the form of a flat hollow housing having face and back portions and an opening therethrough adjacent one end thereof defining the underside of a marginally slotted comb member and the sidewalls of said housing on which said comb member is supported, a flat blade-guide surface on the outside of said comb member adjacent the slotted area thereof, means to hold a coil of blade within said housing, means to guide said blade lengthwise over said fiat surface of said comb member with the cutting edge of the. blade overhanging said slotted area, means within said housing to receive used blade from said guide means, a bridge member extending lengthwise across said flat blade-guide surface, a movable yoke member having arms encompassing the side walls of said housing and extending from end to end of the housing, said bridge member being attached at its ends to said arms and said yoke member having a base member connecting said arms and extending across the end of said housing opposite said comb member, said yoke member being slidable on the side walls of said housing to move said bridge member toward and away from said fiat blade-guide surface, and means acting between said yoke base member and said housing for urging said bridge member in the direction toward said flat bladeguide surface.

2. A cutting device in accordance with claim 1 in which the outside surface of each of said side walls has a flat longitudinal recess therealong opening to the upper surface of the comb to define said means to guide said blade over the blade-guide surface and the slotted area of said comb, and in which the inner surfaces of the arms of said yoke span said flat longitudinal recesses in said side walls and retain said blade therebetween.

3. A cutting device according to claim 1 wherein a transverse Wall member extends between said face and back portions inwardly from said base member, said base member and said bridge member are contiguous With the respective ends of the face and back portions of said housing when said blade is clamped against the bladeguide surface of said cornb by said bridge, and said means acting between the yoke base member and the housing comprises a resilient member bearing between said base member and said transverse Wall.

4. A cutting device in accordance with claim 1 in which the base member of said yoke has a threaded opening References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,308,801 7/1919 Mergenthaler 3040.1 2,048,251 7/ 1936 Fougner 30--40.1 2,572,005 10/ 1951 Borden 30-40.1

FOREIGN PATENTS 439,676 12/1935 Great Britain.

MYRON C. KRUSE, Primary Examiner. 

1. A CUTTING DEVICE COMPRISING A COMBINATION BLADE HOLDER AND HANDLE IN THE FORM OF A FLAT HOLLOW HOUSING HAVING FACE AND BACK PORTIONS AND AN OPENING THERETHROUGH ADJACENT ONE END THEREOF DEFINING THE UNDERSIDE OF A MARGINALLY SLOTTED COMB MEMBER AND THE SIDEWALLS OF SAID HOUSING ON WHICH SAID COMB MEMBER IS SUPPORTED A FLAT BLADE-GUIDE SURFACE ON THE OUTSIDE OF SAID COMB MEMBER ADJACENT THE SLOTTED AREA THEREOF, MEANS TO HOLD A COIL OF BLADE WITHIN SAID HOUSING, MEANS TO GUIDE SAID BLADE LENGTHWISE OVER SAID FLAT SURFACE OF SAID COMB MEMBER WITH THE CUTTING EDGE OF THE BLADE OVERHANGING SAID SLOTTED AREA, MEANS WITHIN SAID HOUSING TO RECEIVE USED BLADE FROM SAID GUIDE MEANS, A BRIDGE MEMBER EXTENDING LENGTHWISE ACROSS SAID FLAT BLADE-GUIDE SURFACE, A MOVABLE YOKE MEMBER HAVING ARMS ENCOMPASSING THE SIDE WALLS OF SAID HOUSING AND EXTENDING FROM END TO END OF THE HOUSING, SAID BRIDGE MEMBER BEING ATTACHED AT ITS ENDS TO SAID ARMS AND SAID YOKE MEMBER HAVING A BASE MEMBER CONNECTING SAID ARMS AND EXTENDING ACROSS THE END OF SAID HOUSING OPPOSITE SAID COMB MEMBER, SAID YOKE MEMBER BEING SLIDABLE ON THE SIDE WALLS OF SAID HOUSING TO MOVE SAID BRIDGE MEMBER TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID FLAT BLADE-GUIDE SURFACE, AND MEANS ACTING BETWEEN SAID YOKE BASE MEMBER AND SAID HOUSING FOR URGING SAID BRIDGE MEMBER IN THE DIRECTION TOWARD SAID FLAT BLADEGUIDE SURFACE. 